Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michelle L. D'Souza, Michelle van der Bank, Zandisile Shongwe, Ryan D. Rattray, Ross Stewart, Johandre van Rooyen, Danny Govender, Paul D. N. Hebert
Summary: This study in Kruger National Park, South Africa, using DNA barcoding to analyze insect community structure, found that insect richness and composition are influenced by larger-scale processes such as ecoregions and rainfall. The results indicate that while there are some differences between vegetation types, the main factors organizing insect communities in the park are related to ecoregions and rainfall.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca Dwyer, Wynand Goosen, Peter Buss, Simon Kedward, Tebogo Manamela, Guy Hausler, Josephine Chileshe, Leana Rossouw, James H. Fowler, Michele Miller, Carmel Witte
Summary: Mycobacterium bovis infection was found in African rhinoceros in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The estimated prevalence of M. bovis was 15.4%. The study revealed a correlation between the increasing number of African buffalo herds and the probability of M. bovis infection in white rhinoceros. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of M. bovis infection in black rhinoceros during periods of intense drought.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ludzula Mukwevho, Tatenda Dalu, Frank Chidawanyika
Summary: Protected savannas play a crucial role in preserving biological diversity, but excessive grazing by mammals can have cascading effects on communities and disrupt ecosystem functioning. This study examined the abundance, species richness, and composition of arthropods in long-term grazing exclosures in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The results showed that Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Araneae were the most abundant orders of arthropods sampled. The abundance and species richness of certain orders, such as Diptera and Hymenoptera, varied significantly between exclosures. The study concludes that long-term mammal grazing can enhance species richness and niche composition, leading to the presence of unique and sparse arthropods in protected savannas.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mashudu Andra Mabibibi, Kaitano Dube, Konanani Thwala
Summary: Despite facing challenges, Kruger National Park has helped communities achieve at least 15 out of the 17 SDGs, spanning across social, economic, environmental, and cultural aspects. In order to ensure sustainability of these projects post COVID-19 pandemic, various challenges need to be addressed. Moreover, managing community expectations regarding the extent to which challenges can be addressed is crucial.
Article
Water Resources
Jordan K. Miller, Kate M. Rowntree, Ian D. L. Foster, Bastian Reinwarth, Jussi Baade
Summary: Sediment source fingerprinting using environmental magnetism has been successfully applied in South Africa to differentiate between sediment sources. This study applied the method to the natural landscape of Kruger National Park and determined sediment sources and yields based on lithology. The results showed that underlying lithology determined vegetation type and density, and vegetation played a crucial role in soil protection and erosion reduction.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Jan-Albert Wessels, Anneli Douglas
Summary: This article aims to assess the potential of creative tourism strategies in harnessing local community cultural resources in Kruger National Park (KNP). Through analyzing questionnaires distributed to tourists, it is found that respondents have a neutral opinion regarding the importance of local community aspects, and recommendations are made to exploit the untapped potential for creative tourism.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITALITY & TOURISM RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaylee van den Bosch, E. T. F. Witkowski, D. I. Thompson, G. V. Cron
Summary: Warburgia salutaris is an endangered species valued for its use in traditional medicine in South Africa. The study found that the species has low fruit production and a low proportion of juveniles in the population. It is likely self-incompatible and may rely on clonal reproduction, which could impair its ability to sexually reproduce.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Izak P. J. Smit, P. J. Nico de Bruyn
Summary: Human freshwater consumption is a pressing global concern, and interventions are needed to protect this critical resource. In nature-based tourism, indoor water use presents challenges but also opportunities for promoting water conservation and sustainability. This study evaluates interventions to showers in tourist accommodations in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and finds that technological intervention (using Triton Xerophyte (R)) can result in about 30% water savings compared to control showers. Adding water-saving infographics slightly enhances this saving. The study also shows that shower duration and water usage are influenced by ambient temperature, with the Triton Xerophyte (R) providing greater water savings under cooler conditions. Nature-based tourism agencies have a role in promoting water-saving behavior and implementing technology and providing information and awareness can contribute to broader water conservation in society.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Llewellyn C. C. Foxcroft, Desika Moodley, Geoff R. R. Nichols, Petr Pysek
Summary: Kruger National Park in South Africa is facing challenges with introduced and invasive plant species. This study provides an up-to-date inventory of alien plant species in the park, identifying 146 species that pose a potential threat to native biodiversity.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Beanelri B. Janecke
Summary: In a study of a catenal slope on granite geology, it was found that waterholes had the highest species richness of mammals, with small differences observed between zones and waterholes. Camera traps captured a total of 33 mammal species, indicating a variety in body size and feeding guilds that possibly suggests a functioning catenal ecosystem.
Article
Ecology
Zaneta Kaszta, Samuel A. Cushman, Rob Slotow
Summary: This study examined monthly patterns of elephant movement and connectivity in Kruger National Park, finding high variability in movements across individuals and months, with directional movement possibly related to drought-induced habitat shifts. Additionally, the study highlighted the non-stationarity of movement and connectivity models, suggesting high variation in space utilization and temporal shifts of core habitat areas for elephants in the park.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Joel O. Abraham, Emily R. Goldberg, Judith Botha, A. Carla Staver
Summary: The study found differences in the distribution of bull elephants and mixed herds in Kruger National Park, with bull elephants preferring sparsely treed basaltic sites near waterholes, while mixed herds tended to aggregate around permanent rivers. Surprisingly, the distribution of elephant impacts was largely unrelated to the distribution of elephants themselves, instead concentrating in densely treed areas and particularly on basaltic soils.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Thomas Clemen, Ulfia A. Lenfers, Janus Dybulla, Sam M. Ferreira, Greg A. Kiker, Carola Martens, Simon Scheiter
Summary: Conservation areas like national parks are complex systems that require support from simulation models for management activities. The study implemented a cross-scale and multi-modal base model MARS in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and developed an elephant movement model as a proof-of-concept for evaluating decision-support capabilities.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Klara Pyskova, Petr Pysek, Llewellyn C. Foxcroft
Summary: The common myna, an invasive species, has been spreading in Kruger National Park in South Africa, with a dramatic increase in the rate of spread in the last three years. Thirty-two birds have been observed nesting or breeding. While the impact on native bird populations is not expected to be severe in the large natural savanna area, it is still recommended to monitor and control the common myna population to prevent further increase and spread.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kara du Plessis, Stefanie Birgit Ganswindt, Henk Bertschinger, Bruce Crossey, Michelle Deborah Henley, Mmatsawela Ramahlo, Andre Ganswindt
Summary: The foraging behavior of African savannah elephants is influenced by seasonal and social factors, allowing them to adjust their behavior to regulate temperature and meet nutritional requirements. Further research is needed to explore how reproductive activity impacts the foraging behavior of male elephants.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carleton R. Bern, Aaron Thompson, Oliver A. Chadwick
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2015)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carleton R. Bern, Anjana K. Shah, William M. Benzel, Heather A. Lowers
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2016)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Christopher T. Mills, Carleton R. Bern, Ruth E. Wolf, Andrea L. Foster, Jean M. Morrison, William M. Benzel
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. K. Shah, C. R. Bern, B. S. Van Gosen, D. L. Daniels, W. M. Benzel, J. R. Budahn, K. J. Ellefsen, A. Karst, R. Davis
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2017)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taylor J. Mills, Suzanne P. Anderson, Carleton Bern, Arnulfo Aguirre, Louis A. Derry
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2017)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carleton R. Bern, Tiffany Yesavage, Nora K. Foley
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2017)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carleton R. Bern, Tiffany Yesavage
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carleton R. Bern, Tiffany Yesavage
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carleton R. Bern, Katie Walton-Day, David L. Naftz
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Carleton R. Bern, Michael J. Holmberg, Zachary D. Kisfalusi
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ettie M. Lipner, Joshua French, Carleton R. Bern, Katherine Walton-Day, David Knox, Michael Strong, D. Rebecca Prevots, James L. Crooks
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Water Resources
Carleton R. Bern, Kate M. Campbell, Katherine Walton-Day, Bradley S. Van Gosen
Summary: The study indicates that mining of BPU deposits near the Grand Canyon could impact groundwater and springs in the area, potentially leading to acid mine drainage. Contact with BPU ore results in significantly elevated concentrations of various contaminants in the water.
MINE WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Carleton R. Bern, Justin E. Birdwell, Aaron M. Jubb
Summary: This study investigates co-produced waters from hydrocarbon extraction using concentration data for 26 elements from three well types and leachates from 12 energy-resource related shales. Results show that many trace elements in produced waters are associated with lower pH and higher ionic strength. Water-rock interactions play a key role in controlling the distribution of trace elements in produced waters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Carleton R. Bern, Robert W. Stogner
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2017)
Article
Soil Science
Lesego Khomo, Susan Trumbore, Carleton R. Bern, Oliver A. Chadwick